 The moths lay their eggs in trees such as oak, birch and hawthorn |
An area of South Yorkshire woodland has been stripped bare of leaves by an invasion of hungry caterpillars. About 1,000 oak and silver birch trees in Wombwell Woods, near Barnsley, have fallen victim to the Mottled Umber Moth, the Forestry Commission said.
Experts believe a combination of a mild spring and lack of predators could be to blame for the freak occurrence.
Spokesman Robert Clamp said the moth was a recognised forest pest, but has ruled out calling in the exterminators.
Mr Clamp said: "We are just going to monitor the situation and we are pretty confident that the trees will recover.
"All we have got damaged is two and a half acres out of about 250 acres.
 | Mottled Umber Moths The female moth lays her eggs in the crevices of trees which are most favoured by caterpillars such as oaks, birches, willows, hawthorns and hazels. The caterpillar is about 4cm long and flies Tarzan-style through the trees using a string of woven silk in search of its next feast. |
"We were alerted by a call from the public to say 'come and look your trees are being eaten'. "Nothing like this has happened on this scale and we are not aware of it happening before."
The Forestry Commission said the patch of woodland could recover with a second growth of greenery in October, just when visitors are expecting autumn colours.
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